At least two vigilant witnesses saw a man loitering in a neighbor’s front yard on the 200 block of Lexington Drive, according to a police department press release. Knowing that the homeowner was away, their suspicions grew when a second man arrived and entered the residence’s backyard.

The witnesses called police at roughly 10:18 a.m. and described the scene unfolding in front of them. Responding officers set up a perimeter around the residence, police said.

When they saw police outside, the suspects tried to flee. But police nabbed the pair, identified later as Christopher Sheard and Brandon Fields, at the house’s front door.

Police said the house had been ransacked and backpacks and a cellphone that belonged to the suspects were found inside. Their vehicle was discovered a few houses down the road.

Both 20-year-old East Palo Alto men were arrested in connection with residential burglary and conspiracy to commit a crime, police said.

Anyone with information regarding the incident can call the Menlo Park Police Department at 650-330-6300 or use the anonymous tip hotline at 650-330-6395.

"I fully support the principles behind Senate Bill 1: to defeat efforts by the president and Congress to undermine vital federal protections that protect clean air, clean water and endangered species," Newsom said in a written statement.